Have you ever heard people say…
“I’ll be happy when….…. I’m on holidays!”
“….the kids leave home!”
“….the house is paid off!” OR
“….I’m on long service leave!”
This is known as deferred happiness syndrome (DHS). They defer or put off their own happiness. We have all heard that we should make the most of every day but most of us just get by from one day to another. Having good intentions isn’t enough. It is our actions that ultimately count.
A great strategy for avoiding DHS is to set a deadline (eg by the end of the year) and then identify ONE personal goal in each of the following four areas.
Place to go
Activity to do
Something to learn
Person you want to be
The goals don’t have to be extravagant. The place to go may be that restaurant you drive by every day thinking “I must go there one day!” Make a commitment, take action and do it!
Things to do can be new things or things that you haven’t done for a long time but used to love doing. The activities can be as an individual, with a partner or with your family eg bike ride, flying a kite, a bush walk or fishing.
We should also be stretching ourselves by learning something new. You may have some great passion or skills that haven’t been uncovered yet, simply because you haven’t tried that activity. Perhaps its speaking a second language, calligraphy, making clay pots, designing or constructing. The possibilities are endless!
The final area is about being a better person eg more patient with our own children or partner, fitter and healthier, more organised, a blood donor, a charity volunteer or get to know our neighbours.
Life is short – avoid deferred happiness syndrome (DHS) by setting personal goals and living for now!